Hedgehog help

Hedgehogs make wonderful pets but they are rather new pets and as a result it may be hard to find the information you need to care for a pet hedgehog. This website is dedicated to bringing reliable information to hedgehog owners. You can find information here on all aspects of hedgehogs gathered from books and all over the internet. I hope you will find this website useful.

• The hedgehogs commonly kept as pets in North America appear to by a mix of species, originally native to Africa. The term "African Pygmy Hedgehog" is a descriptive term (coined by breeders), rather than a true species name.
• They are considered primarily insectivores (insects make up the largest part of their natural diet).
• Their backs are covered with rows of short prickly spines and their bellies are covered with soft fur. When threatened, they roll in to a tight ball with just a mass of spines poking out. When relaxed, the spines lay almost flat.
• Thanks to selective breeding, hedgehogs are now available in a huge array of color variations.
• They are quite compact, reaching a size of around 5-8 inches in length.

• Estimates of expected life span vary widely, anywhere from 3-8 years, although 4-6 years is probably most typical.
• Illegal in some areas.
• Fairly low maintenance pets, and while they don't mind handling once used to it they don't really seem to "crave" human interaction.